After a one-year hiatus from Atlanta Dragway for Pro Stock Motorcycle riders, Lucas Oil competitor Hector Arana Jr. is ready to return to the track and score a victory during the Summit Racing Equipment NHRA Southern Nationals, May 16-18.

The Lucas Oil Buell hasn't made many passes down Atlanta Dragway in the past, but the couple of times it has, they were pretty successful. With a first-round win in his first start ever there, Arana is looking to take that accomplishment even farther.

"Atlanta is a good track not only competition-wise but also for our team in general," Arana said. "We had a year off from racing there, but I don't think that will make a huge difference. It's one of the tracks that I was able to win the first round of eliminations I ever ran there. I haven't raced there much, but I'm definitely ready to go back and try again."

Arana's 2014 NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series may be off to a slower start than last year at this time, but he's not concerned. In fact, he has consistently moved up in the standings to No. 5, just 35 points behind leader Andrew Hines.

"Honestly, though, I look forward to every race I'm in because I love riding my Lucas Oil Buell so much," Arana said. "The season hasn't started off like I would have liked, but our performance has improved at each race. I'm just focused on continuing that progress. The more rounds I go every race, the better it is overall."

Arana will look to continue his climb to the top of the points standings in Atlanta when qualifying rounds for the Summit Racing Equipment NHRA Southern Nationals start at 4:15 p.m. ET on Friday and continue at 6:30 p.m. Friday and 12:30 and 3:15 p.m. Saturday. Final eliminations will start at 11 a.m. Sunday. ESPN2 will carry a qualifying package from 6 to 8 p.m. ET Saturday and eliminations from 9 p.m. to midnight Sunday.

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